Printing-machine.



W. SCOTT, 500. 1. & D. J'. SCOTT, EXEGUTORS.

PRINTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1904.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ZZ S wum do;

W. SCOTT, DBGD.

I. & D. .T. SCOTT, EXBOUTORS.

PRINTING MACHINE.

2 1 9 1 0 3 R p A d 8 t ,H m a P. 4 0 9 1 6 l E N U u D E L I n N 0 I T A G I T. P P A 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' 1 c1 Hot-c1 WWW CY T UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE. 4

WALTER SCOTT, 0F PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY; ISABELLA SCOTT AND DAVID JOHN SCOTT EXECUTORS OF SAID WALTER SCOTT, DECEASED.

PRINTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

Application filed June 16, 1904. Serial No. 212,774.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WALTER Soon, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Plainfield, Union county, New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to printing machines, and has more particular reference to the general arrangement of the I parts composing the same.

The present invention has especial reference to a rotary printing machine for printing sheets in two or more colors, and for suitably delivering the said sheets by a delivery device or mechanism, which, in the present instance, involves valuable features of construction in itself.

In carrying out this object, I provide two or more printing couples composed each of an impression and a plate cylinder making two or more revolutions to each impression. In the particular arrangement shown, I mount a plurality of impression cylinders, one above the other, and a plurality of plate cylinders, also one above the other, and arranged on one side of the impression cylinders. In connection vwith the plate cylinders, I provide suitable inking apparatus which, in the present instance, takes the form of a separate inking apparatus for each plate cylinder, capable of beingmoved backward and away from the said platecylinder independently of the other or others, or the several inking apparatuses maybe moved back in unison. The parts are preferably so arranged that the printing couples and inking apparatus are located underneath the feed board or the plane in which the sheets are fed.

When a three color machine is used, it is preferable to arrange two printing couples in practically the same horizontal plane and to arrange a third printing couple underneath the second printing couple. When it is desired to print in two colors only, the

first printing couple is left out and only the two couples, which are located one above the other, are retained. The feed board from which the sheets are fed is made adjustable .so that sheets can be fed to either the first or the second printing couple depending upon the number of colors desired. In machines of this kind, the printing couples are run at a 'very high speed, so high, in fact, that it is not always possible to construct a delivery mechanism which can operate with the same speed. I therefore find it advantageous to have the printing cylinders make two or more revolutions to each impression, and to construct'my delivery mechanism to operate a variably predetermined less number of times than the printing mechanism. In the present instance, I have constructed my' machine with a sheet path or other sheet conveying means interposed between the last impression cylinder and the delivery mechanism. Adjacent to the said sheet path and tangent to the line of travel of the sheet, I provide a receiving cylinder constituting means for diverting a sheet out of the sheet path, or out of its line of travel to the delivery mechanism, and adapted to deliver the said sheet into the sheet path again so as to cause it to coincide-with the next sheet following whereby two or mor sheets maybe delivered together.

The delivery mechanism may be of any suitable construction, but, in the present instance, I have shown a conventional representation of a drop delivery comprising es sentially a reciprocating carriage having a collapsible apron and suitable racks and gears for driving the same. This part of the device is well known and forms no part of the present invention, except such features as are hereinafter specifically pointed out, and it is therefore not necessary to de scribe the same here. I

Theprinting mechanism is, in the present instance, constructed so as to deliver the sheet with the printed side up to the delivery mechanism, and the said delivery mechanism may be in the form such as is shown in my application for Letters Patent filed February 17, 19043, Ser. No. 194,025, or of any other suitable construction, whereby the sheet can be delivered with the printed side either up or down at will.

In the delivery mechanism, I preferably employ a plurality of endless chains having supports or ledges in the form of angle irons adapted to receive delivery boards on which the sheets are dropped. In connecsaid boards, and for dropping the same when they reach the bottom of the endless chains. The parts are also so constructed that instead of dropping the boards auto matically at the end of themovement, they may be removed by hand from the endless conveyer. In the accompanying drawings, 1 have shown my invention embodied in a suitable form but changes of construction may of course be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In the said drawings: Figure 1 is a general view, partly in section, of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an end, detailed view of the means for running back the several inking apparatus independently or together in unison. Fig. 3 is an end View of a portion of the delivery mechanism showing the automatic means for lowering a plurality of boards-very slowly and as the sheets accumulate on the same.

ond printing couple consisting of the impression cylinder 4 and the plate cylinder 5.

till

The parts are so arranged that the plate cylinders are arranged one above the other and at one side of the impression cylinder, which latter are also arranged one above the other. Adjacent to each plate cylinder is a suitable inking apparatus 6 and? constructed preterably in a manner similar to the inking apparatus shown in Letters Patent No. 751,351, issued February 2, 1904. Each of the said inking apparatus is mounted on a suitable frame 8 sliding on the rollers 9, and is provided with a gear 10 operated by the handwheel 11 and meshing with the stationary rack 12 on the framework where y each inking apparatus may be run back independently of "the other. The said two inking apparatus and the frameworks carrying the same are in turn carried by another framework 13 sliding on the rollers 14: on the main framework, and rovided with the pinion 15 operated by the l iandwheel 16 and engaging with the stationary rack 17 whereby the said two inking apparatus can be run backward in unison,

When it is desired to use this machine tor lithographic or zincographic printing or where it is necessary that the form or print-v ing surface should be moistened after print ing and before being again inked, I place in connection with each plate cylinder suitable dampening rollers 13'which are fed "from a fountain 19 containing water or other suitable liquid. interposed between the two impression cylinders 2 and t I provide a transfer cylinder 20 or other means for transferring the sheet from one printing couple to the other printing couple. This transfer manure cylinder is preferably constructed in a manner similar to the one shown in my application for Letters Patent filed January 25, 1904:, Ser. No. 190,630, and is provided with the guide 21 adjacent to one side of the same against which the sheet is blown by means of air issuing from the perforations 22 in the said cylinder so that the printed side of. the paper will not smut while traveling over the said cylinder, but the sheet will be held out of contact with the said cylinder and travel against the said guides 21. The air supplied to this cylinder may be heated to dry the ink on the sheet and is obtained 'trom some suitable blower or air pressure apparatus through the pipe 23, or in any other manner suitable for the purpose.

24 is the delivery apparatus, in the present instance a drop delivery, and which may be constructed in the manner hereinbefore indicated. interposed between this delivery mechanism and the impression cylinder 4, is

a suitable sheet path 25, having the rollers 26' carrying the tape 27 for assisting the sheet in traveling from the impression cylinder to the said delivery apparatus. Located adjacent to the said sheet path and tangent to the line of travel of the sheet is a receiving cylinder 28 of approximately the same size as the impression cylinder, and,

like the latter, making two revolutions to each impression. llnterposed' between the said receiving cylinder 28 and the impression cylinder 4 are the guides 29, and on the other side of the cylinder 28 is a guide 30 and tapes 31. v

The impression and transfer cylinders are mounted with suitable grippers 32 which are operated in the usual way to seize and release the sheet in passing from one cylinder to the other. The impression cylinder 4 and the receiving cylinder 28, moreover, are provided with throw of? fingers 33 which deliver the front edge or the sheet and place it respectively on the guides 29 and 30 after the grippers on these cylinders have released the edge of the sheet. The delivery mechanism is operated by means of the rack 34 attached to the crank disk 35, mounted, in the present instance, on the shaft 36, which receives its motiondrom the power shaft 37 by means of the gears 38, 39, 40, 4:1, L2, and 13. This gearing is so arranged that the shaft- 36 makes one quaring mechanism and receiving cylinder; while the shaft 44: makes one-half the number of revolutions the printing mechanism. The impression cylinders 2 and l are mounted in eccentric bushings 45 and 43, carrying the arms 47, connected by means of the rod 51 v sion cylinders are Separated from the plate cylinders during each alternate revolution. The right and left nuts 58 are placed on the rod 51 for the purpose of adjusting the amount of pressure between the cylinders 2,3,4,and5.

The printing mechanism is operated from the power shaft 37 by 'means of gears mounted on the several cylinders in the usual way, and the motion from the impression cylinder 4 is imparted to the receiving cylinder 28 by means of the pinion 59.

As before stated, the impression and plate cylinders, as also the inking apparatus, are located under the feed board 60, which is so positioned as to deliver sheets to the impression cylinder 2. When it is desired, however, to print, in three colors, I mount another printing couple composed of the impression cylinder 61 and plate cylinder 62 in the same horizontal line as the impression cylinder 2 and interposed between these two horizontal printing couples is the transfer cylinder 63. A suitable inking apparatus as 64 with water rollers as 65, if

desired, is mounted adjacent to the plate cylinder 62, and, as indicated, may be constructed in the same manner as the inking apparatus used in connection with the other plate cylinders. In this case also the feed board is shifted to the position indicated in dotted lines-so as to feedthe sheet to the impression cylinder 61.

67 indicates a plurality of delivery boards adapted to be automatically lowered by means of the chains 68 and to be independently removed from the same. The said chains carry ledges or supports as the angle irons 69 on which the boards are placed. These angle irons extend'lengthwise of the machine and are connected or supported by two chains on each side of the machine. Suitable guides as 70 are provided for preventing the sagging of the chains and for guiding the supports properly as they travel downward with the board. When the chains have carried "a board to the end of its motion, the said board will be deposited on top of the preceding one or on 'a truck by means of which the board can be moved away from the machine. The boards may also be removed independently or inserted when desired by hand. The chains 68 are driven very slowly by suit-able means, comprising, in the present'instance, a transverse shaft 71 having bevel gears at each end, 72, engagingwith the bevel gear 73 on the longitudinal shaft 73 on either side of the machine, carrying the sprocket wheels 74 and 7 5. Motion is imparted to the transverse shaft 71 from the shaft 36 by means of the bevel gears 76 and 77, friction disk 78 mounted on the shaft 79 and engaging with the friction pulley 80 on the shaft 81, it being held thereagainst .by means of the spring 82. The shaft 81 .also carries a worm 82 engaging with the worm gear 83, mounted on the upright shaft- 84, which carries at its other end a'pinion 85 meshing with the gear 86 on the shaft 87 which, in turn, carries the pinion 88, engaging with the gear 89, mounted on the shaft 71. v

The sheets are fed from the feed board to the first impression cylinder 61 or to the secondimpression cylinder 2, as the case may be where it is printed with one or two colors from whence it passes over the transfer cylinder 20 to the third impressioncyl inder 4, where a second or third color is applied as the case may be, and thence to the guides 29 into the sheet path 25. -At this point it is seized by the grippers on the receiving cylinder 28 and is diverted from the said sheet path and delivered again into the sheetpath by being placed upon the guides 30 by the 'throw off fingers on the receiving cylinder at the moment when the next sheet is in the said sheet path so as -to coincide with the same and whereby both sheets are delivered together to the delivery mechanism.

lVhen it is desired to deliver the sheets singly, the crank disk 35 isplaced on the shaft 44' whereby the delivery mechanism is operated once to every two revolutions of the impression cylinder, and the grippers and throw off fingers on the delivery cylinder 28 are removed or otherwise rendered inoperative. The shafts 36 and 44 are so positioned with relation to the shaft 66 of the delivery mechanism that the relative position of the delivery apparatus to the printing machine will not be changed by reason of such transfer. When the parts are thus arranged, the sheets will pass directly from the impression cylinder 4 through the sheet path 25 to the delivery mechanism without being diverted by the cylinder 28.

The grippers on the first impression cylinder whether it be the cylinder 2 or the cylnearly a half revolution in the usual manner so as to receive the sheets which are fed thereto. All the other grippers on the im pression, transfer, and receiving cylinders, are constructed so that they are held against the cylinders by means of a spring in a; well known way and to open by means of cams of the usual kind. When the additional printing couple composed of cylinders 61 and 62 is used, the arrangement will preferably be as shown in Fig. 1 where the said printing couple extends over the delivery mechanism. 7

In several of the claims annexed to this specification, I have embodied the element of a feed board inclaiming the arrangement of the parts. By this I do not wish cylinder, such as tapes or the well known automatic feeders may be employed instead.

The said claims therefore should be con-' strued to cover any such means where the printing couples are located below the plane of feeding no matter what kind of feeding apparatus may be used. In regard to the driving means for the chains, it will be understood that the speed can bevaried by shifting the friction pulley 80 nearer or farther away from the center of the disk '18. Also that the spring 82 will to some extent cause a variation in the speed of the device.

What I claim is:

1. In a printing machine, the combination of a multirevolution impression cylinder, delivery mechanism, a sheet path extending from the impression cylinder to the delivery mechanism, a multirevolution receiving cylinder located adjacent the sheet path and adapted to make more than one revolution to each sheet received by it, and sheet retaining means on the receiving cylinder adapted to receive and divert certain sheets from the sheet path and to allow other sheets to pass unhindered to the delivery mechanism.

2. In a printing machine, the combination of a multirevolution impression cylinder,

delivery mechanism operating once to anumber of sheets printed by the impression cylinder, a multirevolution receiving cylinder adapted to make more than one revolution to each sheet received by it, a sheet path adapted to convey sheets from the impression cylinder to the receiving cylinder or to the delivery mechanism direct, sheet retaining devices on the receiving cylinder adapted to receive and divert certain sheets from the sheet path and to allow others to pass unhindered to the delivery mechanism, the said devices being arranged to release the diverted sheets into the sheet path so as to associate them with the sheets passing unhindered to-the delivery mechanism.

In a printing machine, the combination of a plurality of impression cylinders making more than one revolution to each impression, a transfer cylinder interposed between adjacent impression cylinders, all located one above the other, a plurality of plate cylinders also making more than one revolution to each impression, arranged one above the other at one side of the impression cylinders, inking apparatus for the said plate cylinders, and means for moving the impression cylinders out of contact with the plate cylinders once to each impression.

4. In a printing machine, the combination with a feedboard, of a plurality of impression cylinders making more than one revolution to each impression, a transfer cylinder interposed between adjacent impression cylinders, all arranged one above the' other, a plurality of plate cylinders making more than one revolution to each impression, located one above the other, at one side of the impression cylinders underneath the feedboard, inking apparatus for the said plate cylinders and means for moving the impression cylinders out of contact with the plate cylinders once to each impression.

5. In a printing machine, the combination of an impression cylinder making a plurality of revolutions to each impression, a delivery mechanism, a sheet path interposed between the impression cylinder, and delivery mechanism, and a cylinder making a plurality of revolutions to each sheet printed for diverting every other sheet out of the sheet path and for delivering it in the same course with the next succeeding sheet said cylinder not forming a part of the sheet path.

6. In a printing machine, the combination of two printing couples arranged in practically the same horizontal plane, means for transferring the sheets from the impression.

cylinder of one couple to that of the other couple, a third printing couple placed underneath the second couple, and means for transferring the sheets from the impression cylinder of the second couple to that of the third couple, each of the couples making a number of revolutions to each sheet printed.

7. In a printing machine, the combination of two printing couples arranged in practically the same horizontal plane, means for transferring the sheets from the impression cylinder of one couple to that of the other couple, a third printing couple placed underneath the second couple, and means for transferring the sheets from the impression cylinder of the second couple to that of the third couple, each of the couples making two revolutions to'each sheet printed.

8. In a printing machine, the combination of two printing couples arranged in practically the same horizontal plane, a transfer cylinder for transferring the sheets from the impression cylinder of one couple to that of the second couple, a third printing couple placed underneath the second couple, and a transfer cylinder for transferring the sheets from the impression cylinder of the second couple to that of the third couple, each printing couple making a number of revolutions to each sheet printed.

9. In a printing machine, the combination of two printing couples arranged in practically the same horizontal plane, a transfer cylinder for transferring the sheets from the impression cylinder of one couple to that of the second couple, a third printing couple placed underneath the second couple, and a transfer cylinder for transferring the sheets from the impression cylinder of the second couple to that of the third couple, each printing couple making two revolutions to each sheet printed.

10. In a printing machine, the combination of an impression cylinder, a delivery mechanism, a sheet path interposed between the impression cylinder and delivery mechanism, meansfor driving the delivery mechanism, so as to capacitate it to deliver each sheet singly or a number together, at will, and a receiving cylinder adjacent to the sheet path adapted to be put inoperation when a number of sheets are delivered together to divert alternate sheets out of the sheet path and for delivering them again into the sheet path with the next succeeding. sheet.

11. In a printing machine, the combination with a feed board, of two printing couples arranged one above the other, and inking apparatus for the plate cylinders of the said printing couples, all arranged and located underneath the feed board, an addi-- tional printing couple located in practically the same horizontal plane as the first printing couple, and means for transferring the sheet from one impression cylinder to the other. e v

12. In a printing machine, the combination with a feed board, of two printing couples arranged one above the other, and inking apparatus for the plate cylinders of the said printing couples, all arranged and located underneath the feed board, an additional printing couple located in practi cally the same horizontal plane as the first printing couple, and a transfer cylinder located between adjacent impression cylinders.

13. In a printing machine, the combina tion with a feed board and a delivery mechanism, of two printingcouples arranged one above the other, and inking apparatus for the platecylinders of the said printing couples, all arranged and located underneath the feed board, and an additional printing couple located in practically the same horizontal plane as the first printing couple and extending over the. delivery mechanism.

14. In a printing machine, the combination with a feed board and a delivery mechanism, of two printing couples arranged one above the other,'and inking apparatus for the plate cylinders of the said printing couples, all arranged and located underneath the feed board, and an additional-printin couple located in practically the same hor1- zontal plane as the first printin couple and extending over the delivery mec anism, and means for transferring the sheets from on impression cylinder to the other.

15. In a printing machine, the combination with a feed board and a delivery mechanism, of two printing couples arranged one above the other, and inking apparatus for the plate cylinders of the said printing couples, all arranged and located underneath the feed board, an additional print ing couple located in practically the same horizontal plane as the first printing couple and extending over the delivery mechanism, and a transfer cylinder located between adjacent impression cylinders. 16. In a printing machine, the combination of an impression or other cylinder making more than one'revolution to each impression, a delivery-mechanism,a sheet path interposed between the delivery mechanism and impression cylinder, and a receiving cylinder adjacent to the said sheet path or line of travel of the sheet from the cylinder to the deliverymechanism adapted to divert a sheet out of its straight course and deliver it in the same course with the next following. sheet but not forming a part of the sheet path. 7

'17. Ina printing machine, the combination of a cylinder making two revolutions to each impression a delivery mechanism, a sheet path interposed between the delivery mechanism and cylinder, and a receiving cylinder adjacent to the sheet path or line of travel from the first cylinder to the delivery mechanism but not forming a part of said-path adapted to divert a sheet out of its straight course and deliver it in the same course with the next following sheet.

18. In a printing machine, the combination of an impression cylinder makin t wo revolutions to each impression, a de ivery mechanism operating once to every four revolutions of the impression cylinder, a

sheet path interposed between the--impres- 19. In a printing machine, the combina-- tion of an impression cylinder making two revolutions to each impression, a delivery mechanism operating once to every four revolutions of the impgession cylinder, a

sheet path interposed tween the impression cylinder and delivery mechanism, and a cylinder, making two revolutions to each impression, adjacent to. said sheet path'for diverting every other sheet out of thesheet path and for delivering it into the same course with the next succeeding sheet."

120. In a printing machine, the combination with an impression cylinder making two revolutions to each impression, a delivery mechanism operating once toevery four revolutions of the impression cylinder, a sheet path interposed between the impression cylinder and delivery mechanism ed side up, and a cylinder adjacent to said sheet path for diverting every other sheet adapted to receive the sheet with the printout of the sheet path and for delivering it into the same course with the printed side up with the next succeeding sheet.

21. In a printing machine, the combination of aniimpression cylinder making two revolutions to each impression, a delivery mechanism operating once to every four revolutions of the impression cylinder, a sheet path interposed between the impression cylinder and delivery mechanism adapted to receive the sheet with the printed side up, and a cylinder, making two revolutions to each impression, adjacent to said sheet path for diverting every other sheet out of the sheet path and for delivering it I into the same course with the printed side up with the next succeeding sheet.

22. In a printing machine, the combination of a multirevolution impression cylinder, a delivery mechanism operating once to a plurality of impressions, a sheet path interposed between the impression cylinder and delivery mechanism, and a cylinder adjacent to said sheet path for diverting a sheet out of the sheet path and for delivering it in the same course with the next succeeding sheet, the said cylinder not constituting a part of the sheet path.

23. In a printing machine, the combination of a multirevolution impression cylinder, a front delivery mechanism. operating once to a number of sheets printed by the impression cylinder, a multirevolution receiving cylinder adapted to make more than one revolution to each sheet received by it, a sheet path adapted to convey sheets, received from the impression cylinder, to the receiving cylinder or to the delivery mechanism direct, sheet retaining and releasing devices on the receivlng cylinder adapted to receive and divert certain sheets from the sheet path and to allow others to pass unhindered to the delivery .mechanism, the said devices being arranged to release the diverted sheets into the sheet path so as to associate .them with the sheets passing unhindered to the delivery mechanism.

24. In a printing machine, the combination of a multirevolution impression cylinder, a front delivery mechanism operating receiving cylinder or to the delivery mechanism direct, sheet retaining and releasing devices on the receiving cylinder adapted to receive and divert every othersheet from the sheet path and to allow alternate sheets to pass unhindered to the delivery mechanism, the said devices being arranged to release the diverted sheet into the sheet path so as to associate it with the sheet passing unhindered to the delivery mechanismL- 25. The combination in a printing machine, of a feed board, impression cylinders and a transfer cylinder interposed between the same, all arranged in vertical alinement to form a single column, form cylinders disposed to one side of the impression cylinders and arranged in a vertical column beneath the feed board, inking apparatus for the respective form cylinders, also arranged in vertical alinement beneath the feed board, delivery mechanism located in front of the impression cylinders, and a sheet path extending from said impression cylinders to the delivery mechanism.

' 26. In a printing machine, an impression cylinder making a plurality of revolutions to each impression, a delivery mechanism operating a less number of times than the impression cylinder, a sheet path extending from the impression cylinder to' the delivery mechanism, and a cylinder adjacent to the sheet path for diverting certain sheets out of the sheet path and delivering them back into the sheet path in time to meet certain succeeding sheets whereby a plurality of the sheets will be deliveredtogether to 

